“There can be no doubt that wild goats are special, seeing them amongst the heather in these hills can only bring pleasure.  We are a Trust with charitable aims, managed by a volunteer Board of Trustees.  We have no paid staff or dedicated premises.  All of our Trustees are committed to wildlife conservation and the positive contribution of the wild goats make to creating a healthy and diverse upland ecology.  The Board believes in the use of scientific study and understanding to underpin the long term management of this herd so that there remains a robust, resilient and self-sustaining population of wild goats in the Langholm and Newcastleton Hills”.

David Braithwaite, Chairman of TWGCT

The Wild Goat Conservation Trust (TWGCT) is a not for profit organisation, formed for public benefit to support the conservation of a self-sustaining, robust and resilient population of wild goats hefted to the 30,000 acre upland area of Langholm and Newcastleton Hills in the South of Scotland.

This is so that these wild animals continue to contribute to the natural management of the upland ecosystem where they live to enjoy them and appreciate their significance.

The Trust’s objectives are;

• collate a good understanding of the population dynamics and ecological requirements of the wild goat herd by primarily, but not exclusively, working with landowners, conservation organisations, academic researchers and institutions and Government agencies. This understanding will be translated into a long-term herd management plan.

• provide information and education about the wild goats by primarily working with and through social media, the Media, education institutions and local interest groups

• TWGCT to seek legal protection for the wild goat herd to help its long-term conservation as a natural and cultural asset to Scotland.